Trapping device.



T. J. GENTRY.

TRAPPING DEVICE.

APPLICATION man FEB- I8. 1916- l ,1 88,756 Patented June 27, 1.916.

Witnesses I nventor Attorneys.

THOMAS J. GENTBY, OF SCARBRO, WEST VIRGINIA.

TRAPPING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 27, 1916.

7 Application filed February 18, 1916. Serial No. 79,162.

7 '0 all "whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS J. GENTRY, acitizen of the United States, residing at Scarbro, in the county ofFayette and State of lVest Virginia, have invented a new and usefulTrapping Device, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to trapping devices, and aims toprovide a novel and improved apparatus for automatically shooting game,although the apparatus can be used for various purposes, such as forprotection or the like, a gun, being fired when a switch is operated bythe presence of an intruder.

It is the object of the invention to provide an apparatus of the natureindicated embodying a fire arm or gun of any suitable sort and meanswhereby it is fired automatically when an animal or intruderaccidentally sets the device off. The apparatus can be used for shootinggame, for scaring ofi or shooting intruders, and the like.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel andimproved attachment for a fire'arm, whereby the fire arm can be operatedelectrically from a distant point, for the purposes above noted, theattachment being simple and inexpensive in construction as well asserving its office in a practical and efficient manner.

\Vith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodiment of thednvention herein disclosed can be made within the scopeof what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure1 is an elevation of the apparatus, the electrical circuit beingillustrated diagrammatically. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectionof the fire arm attachment. Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 ofFig. 2. Fig. a is a side elevation illustrating a modification.

In carrying out the invention, there is employed any suitable fire armor gun 1, the trigger of which is designated at 2. The barrel of the gun1 is preferably supported by a rod or spindle 3 which can be driven intothe ground, and the stock of the fire arm is supported by one or twoadjustable I legs 4 which can also be driven into the ground. The firearm can thus be supported above the ground at a suitable point, and canbe aimed at the desired point.

The operating attachment for the fire arm includes a tubular casing 5having one end open and its other end closed, and said casing isattached underneath of the stock of the fire arm 1 by means of a pair ofsuitable clamps 6, with the open end of the cas ing 5 adjacent thetrigger 2. Fitted within casing 5 is a solenoid 7 having thelongitudinally movable core 8 therein terminating short of the rear endof the solenoid and projecting from the forward end'of the core towardthe closed end of the casing 5. Attached to the rear end of the core'8IS a nonmagnetic tip 9 projecting out of the rear end of the solenoidand arranged to engage the trigger 2. The forward end of the core 8 hasa magnetic disklike head 10 movable within the casing 5 adjacent theclosed end thereof, and a coiled spiral spring 11 is disposed orconfined between the solenoid 7 and head 10 tonormally retract the core8 and its tip 9. At tached to the inner or forward end of the solenoid 7is a pair of longitudinally 'projecting parallel fingers 12 for guidingthe head 10, said head having a pair of notches 13 engaging said fingers12, and the head being supported slidably by the fingers, to reduce thefriction, whereby the core will slide easily.

The solenoid 7 is interposed'in an electrical circuit 14 including thebattery or source of electrical energy 15, and the terminals of thecircuit are attached to contacts 16. One contact is carried by a base 17and the other is carried by a treadle 18 carried by a leaf spring 19secured upon one end of the base 17. The spring 19 normally lifts thetreadle 19 so that the contacts 16 are separated, for opening thecircuit.

In operation, the fire arm 1 is placed at a suitable distance from theswitch, and the switch including the contacts 16 and allied parts, ispreferably placed adjacent a tree or other object T, from which is hungsuitable bait B, whereby an animal in attempting to get the bait Bwill'step upon the treadle 18. The fire arm is cocked, and theconductors or wires of the circuit are preferably concealed by leaves orthe like.

WVhen an animal steps upon the treadle 18, so that the contacts 16 arebrought together, the circuit 14 is closed, thus energizing the solenoid7 and this pulls the core 8 by a sharp movement into the solenoid, thusto project the tip 9. The tip 9 strikes the trigger 2-and sets the firearm oil", the fire arm being so directed that the animal; which treadsupon the treadle 18' will be shot. As soon as the treadle l8 rises, toopen the circuit, the solenoid in being denergized will release the coreand said core will return to initial position under the influence of thespring 11.

The present apparatus provides desirable means for trapping or shootinggame, but it can also be used as a means of protection againstintruders, since the switclrcan' be so concealed that an intruder willstep upon it, to thereby automatically fire the fire arm, whether it beused for shooting the intruder or simply scaring him.

In the form illustrated in Fig. 1, the fire arm 1' is supported in thesame manner as the fire arm 1 abovedescribed, and in this form, a sparkplug 5 is screwed into the breech end of the barrel, and is interposedin the electrical circuit 4, whereby when P this circuit is closed, aspark will be produced within the barrel for igniting the charge.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with afire arm having a trigger, of an attachment applied to said head and thefire arm including a solenoid and a core, the core being arranged toengage the trigger when the solenoidis energized, and an electricalcircuit including said solenoid and a switch remote from the fire arm.

2. In an apparatus of the character deretracting the core.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination wlth athe arm hav- 111 a tri er of a firin attachment for the D b 7 ti firearm embodying a tubular casing attached to the fire arm and having anopen end adjacent the trigger, a solenoid fitted in said casing, a coreworking in the solenoid and liaving a non-magnetic tip projecting fromthe solenoid to engage the trig-- ger, the other end of the core havinga head within the casing, a coiled spring between solenoid, the solenoidhaving fingers projecting from one end thereof upon which said head isslidable.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS J. GENTRY. lVitnesses:

R. L. PARKER, PHILOMENA A. .ROCKELLI.

Ooplcl of this patent may be obtained for five. cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. O.

